Ballad for Americans

Legendary American actor/concert performer Paul Robeson sings as deep as a well and as wide as an ocean on the reissue of Ballad for Americans. His unmistakable bass-baritone makes the rafters ring on this excellent, eloquent collection of spirituals, work songs, folk songs, and pop tunes. The epic 10-minute title track--composed by Earl Robinson and John LaTouche--is a compendium of American musical forms and a celebration of American spirit, delivered in a call-and-response style that finds Robeson playing a true everyman to the questioning crowd. His patriotism--as rich and complex as his voice--is in full flower here; ironic since he was driven to self-exile in Europe during the Red Scare. --Michael Ruby